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Gastritis - acute - Overview

Alternative Names

Acute gastritis

Definition of Gastritis - acute:

Acute gastritis is a sudden inflammation of the stomach lining.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

Acute gastritis may be caused by:

Certain medications, such as aspirin, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), or corticosteroids
Alcohol
Eating or drinking corrosive substances
Extreme stress
Infections, such as the bacteria Helicobacter pylori, or much less often, cytomegalovirus or herpes simplex virus

Acute gastritis is often associated with a severe, acute illness or trauma. The following increase your risk of acute gastritis:

Aspirin or NSAID use
Recent heavy alcohol use
Major surgery
Kidney failure
Liver failure
Respiratory failure

Digestive system

Digestive system organs

Reviewed last on: 10/20/2009
David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; and George F. Longstreth, MD, Department of Gastroenterology, Kaiser Permanente Medical Care Program, San Diego, California. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

Kuipers EJ, Blaser MJ. Acid peptic disease: epidemiology and pathobiology. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 141.

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